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When the Harps Went Still by Aurelio Porfiri, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, and Guido Milanese. Sophia Institute Press (Manchester, NH, 2025). 176 pp., paperback. $18.95.
We are blessed to have an amazing choir in my parish. But, let’s face it, there are many churches where “strains” take on a whole new meaning. Sometimes the lyrics in the musical selections are theologically nebulous at best and the composition is far from conducive to meditation.
When music is truly sacred, however, it helps us to transcend ourselves and lift our hearts, minds, and souls to God in meditation. It invites us to be still and rest in the Lord, to surrender to Him the deepest part of our heart, and let His healing love pour in like balm.
In When the Harps Went Still, composer and conductor Aurelio Porfiri, defender of the faith Bishop Athanasius Schneider, and renowned scholar Guido Milanese, a leader of a sacred vocal ensemble, call for renewal of liturgy and rediscovery of the history of sacred music from the Old Testament to Gregorian Chant.
This highly-anticipated work seeks to restore our sacred musical heritage for the revival of Faith and Christian Culture.
Throughout these invaluable pages, the authors unpack the true definition of sacred music and its connection with liturgical worship. They also lay out ways recent popes and Vatican II explained sacred music, in their own words, and the importance of the texts used in sacred music to lift our hearts to the Lord.
“The crisis in sacred music concerns all of us,” explain the authors. “[It] is not merely a matter of musical aesthetics, but sheds light on fundamental aspects of the current crisis of the West, in particular of the crisis of the Catholic Church.”
Thomas Kocik, himself an author, writes, “It is a great pity that most Christians are unaware of the great musical heritage that Christianity has produced over the centuries . . . . Anyone who has been to a sung Mass, with Gregorian chant and perhaps also some Renaissance polyphony, will appreciate the depth of this tragedy. With notable exceptions, the last several decades have witnessed a debasement of musical sensibilities and a squandering of musical traditions among Catholics and Protestants alike.”
In a recent interview with The Catholic Register, Porfiri noted that music is a prayer for the congregation whether they sing and praise God in unison with the musicians or the hymns invite them to adore God in the sacred silence of their heart.
Porfiri shared that two important ways to rediscover sacred music are by forming treble choirs for children and supporting musicians.
Hopefully, we have all experienced how sacred music glorifies God and helps sanctify and edify the faithful. During this time of National Eucharistic Revival, let us sing a song to the Lord that will truly give Him praise and elevate our souls. When the Harps Went Still aims to offer ways to create worship experiences that do just that.
Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Director of Publicity, Sarah Lemieux at slemieux@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a physical or digital copy of When the Harps Went Still and/or to schedule an interview with Aurelio Porfiri.
Mary Beth Bracy is a writer who is blessed to research, publish, and speak extensively on various aspects of Catholic spirituality. Her books include Behold the Lamb, Bread of Life and The Little Way of Healing Love Through the Passion of Jesus: The Stations of the Cross with St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and she is co-author of the book Stories of the Eucharist. She has written articles for numerous Catholic publications and recorded some Catholic talks. Mary Beth is also a professional teacher, dual certified in English and Special Education, and the owner of a Catholic book and gift shop online. A proud member of the St. John Paul II generation, and lover of all things St. Thérèse, Mary Beth enjoys spending time in Eucharistic Adoration daily, keeping in touch with her family and friends, as well as, sharing her faith with others.
